PHOTOS BY WIRELESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 27 July 1929, Page 12

PHOTOS BY WIRELESS

TRIALS IN AUSTRALIA REMARKABLE INVENTION SYDNEY, 4th duly. “Tap-Lap-Lap.” Without fuss, mid with even, less noise than a typewriter, it is possible -U> transmit a photograph across space. The wonder apparatus, the Fultograph, which makes this possible, lias been demonstrated with great success in Sydney and Melbourne, under the auspices of the Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia), Limited. Soon it will bo tested between the two cities, and it is feared that it will make obsolete the picturegram service about to be inaugurated by the Post and Telegraph Department, by which it will be possible to transmit pictures and the like over the telegraph wires. The Fultograph is capable of transmitting photographs, printed news items, finger-prints—in fact, anything that can be photographed. The transmission can be effected either by telephone line or by wireless. A notable feature of the process is the simplicity of reception. Even a boy, it is claimed, can satisfactorily operate the receiving end. The apparatus consists of a photoelectric cell transmitter and a receiver. When photographs are transmitted by radio the receiver is connected to the Earns terminals of the radio set as the loud-speaker. Another interesting point is that all signals denoting that the photograph is being transmitted come through the loud speaker as audible sounds. The actual process is that a film negative is prepared from tlie desired photograph and is wrapped round the glass cylinder of

|,lic transmitter. By means of the photo-electric coll varying currents according to the light and shade of the negative are sent out and picked up ITy the receiver, cither in the same room or hundreds of miles away.

The '’receiver also has .a cylinder, round which is wrapped a. paper that has been dipped in a solution of potassium iodide. The receiver is synchronised with tho transmitter and a stylus through which tno electrical impulse is passed is placed on the sensitised paper and produces the light and dark shades as the cylinder revolves. Tho time of transmission does not exceed four and a half minutes. Distance makes no difference to the time occupied, and the

power used is no more than is required tor a distinct telephone conversation. The apparatus was invented by Captain Fulton. It is now being made in England, but later on it will be manufactured in Australia. A completei machine for one-way transmission is said to cost not more than £BOO. The receiving portion alone would n6t cost more than £35. The apparatus is now in practical use by broadcasting stations in England and on the Continent. Dajly news bulletins are now being sent out in script from tho Rugby stations to ships at sea. • •••. >.